Coragiosi, East Province
It was a nice day outside, but Marisa didn't notice. She was staring in fascinated silence as Mistress Melena skillfully worked the forge. Wintering in Coragiosi had been fun. Marisa hadn't traveled to many cities when she lived at home. At first, it had been a confusing mixture of noise, people, and many, many things to see. But after spending three months in the city, she had adjusted and knew her way around as well as any resident.
Today was an especially good day. She was excited to see the forging of a sword that was a custom order. Since their arrival in Coragiosi, Mistress Melena had only taken three other custom orders. Each blade that she made was strong, filled with Element, and fetched a hefty price that was eagerly paid by the blades' new owners. The sword she was almost finished with hummed with power within the forge's fires.
"Notice the flames. Always watch their color. The change in color lets you know when the metal of the blade and your Element have become one. Never rush the process. You want strong, long-lasting blades. Not ones that will shatter or crumble under the weight of time."
"Yes, Mistress Melena."
Marisa focused on the dancing flames. Training with Mistress Melena could be rough, but there were times, like this, when there was peace between the two of them. The dancing flames agreed and did a quick series of undulations and twists to show their joy. She laughed at the fire's antics.
Mistress Melena grinned. "You and Fire will get along well. Always remember, though, that Fire is perhaps the most dangerous of all Elements. Once it breaks free and unleashes its fury, it is hard to stop it. That is why we, out of all the Elements, must control our stronger emotions."
"I understand, Mistress Melena."
"That is all for today. You may enjoy your afternoon. I have to take care of some tasks myself." She removed the sword from the forge and began to hammer it.
Marisa smiled every time the hammer and steel of the sword rang. The song was one of growing harmony. When the sword was finished, it would sing a song of Fire and Steel. It was a really lovely melody and she enjoyed hearing it. She removed her apron and hung it on the peg. She slipped outside. She had plenty of time to go to the marketplace. Besides, she really wanted some kocolate. She went into the house, grabbed her money purse, and tied it securely to her belt. Pulling her shirt back down to hide the purse, she headed into town.
She was greeted warmly by the various vendors, and it felt good. The people had, at first, been unfriendly. It was only in the last month that they were kind to her. She still missed her father and worried over how he was doing. Mistress Melena had promised her that after training was completed, she could return home for a visit. She would definitely do it. He was all the family she had.
"Hie, Marisa! You by yourself today?"
She waited for Gemma to catch up. Marisa had met the other girl last month when a merchant caravan had arrived to winter within the city's walls. Though Marisa didn't normally get along with girls, Gemma was different. Maybe it was because Gemma was into archery and swordplay instead of the more ladylike pursuits that other girls favored.
"Nowhere in particular. Just taking a walk."
"Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all."
The two girls walked quietly along, stopping ever so often to look at the foods and wares for sale. They were almost to the end of the busy street when a jeweler's stall caught Marisa's attention. She strolled over and smiled at the timid girl sitting on the other side.
"Hello, can I please see that pendant over there?" She pointed to the jewelry off to the side in a box of costume jewelry.
The vendor girl looked surprised, but scooped it up and put it on the table between them. Gemma leaned over and poked it.
"It's really ugly and plain. And look, the clasp is broken. It's trash, Marisa. Pick something else."
"No, I want it."
Gemma laughed. "You're joking, right?"
"No, I'm serious." She turned from her friend to the vendor girl. "How much?"
"Three coppers," the girl stammered.
"I'll give you eight if you'll throw in that used chain over there."
Eagerly, the girl grabbed the faded silver chain and placed it in Marisa's hand.
Marisa pulled out the money and gave it to the girl. She quickly removed the broken one and replaced it with the new chain. In the center of the pendant was the phoenix. It reminded her of her father's bedtime stories when she was younger. He'd loved telling tales about the fiery phoenix. It made her a little less homesick. She slid it into the money purse. Later, she would try it on. Marisa waved bye to the vendor girl and, with Gemma in tow, left the marketplace for the Strolling Gardens that Coragiosi was famous for.
Gemma continued to tease her about her purchase, but Marisa didn't mind. Her friend had both parents and a large family. She couldn't understand that for someone who only had one family member, every little reminder was important. The Strolling Gardens were amazing and filled with color as spring got underway. It was peaceful here. They stopped to rest on one of the many benches strewn about the gardens. Gemma handed her an apple and leaned back, eyes closed, soaking in the warmth of the sun.
"Sometimes I don't understand you. You do some random things, Marisa, but that's what makes you fun."
Marisa laughed. "In other words, you're never bored around me."
"Hey, don't tease me." Gemma pouted before giggling. "Really, though. Eight coppers for a piece of junk? Shouldn't you have saved your money for something fancier if you wanted jewelry that much?"
"One person's junk is another person's treasure is what my father always said. It's valuable to me, all right? One day, you'll understand. Enough talk. Let's finish the walk."
She stood and stretched. Gemma grinned and rose.
"Well, well, what do we have here?"
Gemma stiffened, and Marisa's gaze swung to their left. She frowned. She hadn't heard the four boys coming toward them. She glared at them.
"Do you need something?"
The tallest one smirked. "Yeah, a little play time with such cute girls."
Marisa felt her anger start to rise. It was boys like this that got on her nerves. "Sorry, but I don't have time to play with children."
"Ha, ha. Did you hear that? She called us children, Boss!"
Gemma tugged urgently on Marisa's arm. "Let's get out of here," she whispered.
Marisa shrugged her off. "You need to get lost or else you'll be sorry."
The leader glared and stalked toward her. "You need to have that mouth of yours shut."
"Marisa, look out!" Gemma yelled and knocked her aside as the leader lunged at her.
Marisa hit the ground with a thud and quickly rolled to her feet. She stared in horror as the leader hit Gemma. Rage burned through her veins, and she was on her feet and running at the boy.
That'sright.Useme,ChildofFire.
"Aargh!" She howled, both her hands instantly catching fire as she leaped up and swung down, her fist connecting with the boy's shoulder.
He bellowed, staggered, and took a swing at her. She ducked and hit him in the face with her fist and laughed. He screamed in pain and swatted at his face as the flames eagerly licked at his skin. He hit the ground and rolled around until the flames were out before going still. She could see that he was still breathing.
The other boys were rooted in fear where they stood as she pinned them with a glower. She held up her burning hands.
"Who's next?"
They shrieked like little girls and ran away. She calmed the fire raging in her body, and the flames dancing around her hands vanished. She turned and saw Gemma's ashen face.
"You...you...,"
"Yes, I'm an Elemental wielder. So what? It doesn't change who I am?" She took a step toward her friend.
"Stay away!" Gemma stumbled backward, tripped, and fell on her butt.
Marisa froze. She hadn't thought Gemma would be afraid of her.
"Gemma, you're hurt. Let me...,"
"No, stay away from me! Monster! Monster!" she screamed, before scrambling upright and fleeing.
Marisa stood there for a long moment. Her rage simmered and boiled beneath her control.
"Monster? Ungrateful, Idiot. See if I ever save your life again!"
She spun around at the sound of clapping, intent on attacking whoever it was for interrupting. The flames that had sprang forth in an instant died when Marisa saw the newcomer.
"Really, Apprentice. You keep forgetting the most vital lesson: control your emotions. It's a good thing we're leaving today. Otherwise, this would get complicated."
"I didn't mean to burn him like that. He hurt Gemma."
"Yes, he did." Mistress Melena walked over and stooped to check on the unconscious boy. She pulled out a tiny vial of clear liquid, rolled the boy over, and poured it on his wounds. Instantly, the angry red faded from his cheek, and the swelling went down. She stood up and corked the vial. "He'll still scar, but that will be his punishment for daring to attack those smaller than he. Now come, we have to get going."
Marisa didn't argue, grateful that she wasn't going to get a lecture. Without a backward glance at the boy, she followed her Mistress back to the smithy.
***
Livog, South Province
"Smells like rain."
"What was that, Apprentice?"
Alea glanced over at Mistress Telena. "It smells like rain."
Mistress Telena stepped back from her horse and gave Alea a strange look. "What do you mean?"
"Nothin'. Forget I said anythin'."
Alea swung herself up into the saddle and pointedly stared ahead. She didn't have time to explain stuff to the foolish adult she was forced to travel with. She could feel Mistress Telena's assessing gaze on her, but she ignored it. She didn't have anything else to say.
Mistress Telena mounted her horse and set a brisk pace out of the city. Alea was tense until they passed the city marker indicating they had officially left Livog territory.
"Still think it's going to rain?"
Alea twitched at the question. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly before answering. "Yep, it's still gonna rain."
"Interesting, very interesting. Fine, we can make it to Eadfar by tonight. I don't want to get caught in the rain any more than you do. Let's go."
They urged the horses into a gallop and set off for Eadfar. It was dusk when they arrived at the town, and Mistress Telena brought her horse to a slow walk.
"How about now?"
"Huh?" Alea was confused. They had ridden in silence the entire time, and Mistress Telena's question didn't make sense at first.
"Still going to rain?"
"Oh, don't know."
"Check, please."
"Fine, you pushy Lady." Alea took a breath and let it out. She shook her head. "Nope, no rain now."
Mistress Telena grinned. "Thought so."
"Thought what?"
"Nothing, my curious Apprentice. We must find lodging. All issues will resolve themselves in time."
"Whatever, Lady."
She gritted her teeth when Mistress Telena laughed. She hated it when the lady did that. Always made her feel like she was the butt of some joke.
"You are too sensitive, my Apprentice. Now come."
They were stopped by the town guards and then ushered in. After bypassing two inns, Mistress Telena settled on the third one.
Alea didn't care. She was starting to get that feeling that always meant something bad was about to happen. The sooner they got inside and off the street, the better she'd feel. Once the horses were settled and they were in their room, Alea relaxed. The feeling of danger was gone.
"How's the weather now?"
"Lady, you ask the craziest things."
"Humor me, Apprentice."
She huffed and decided to do it if only to get Mistress Telena to leave her alone. Again, she sucked in a deep breath and let it go. "No rain. All clear. What?" she snapped when she spotted Mistress Telena's grin.
"My cute apprentice, you don't realize what you've been doing, do you?"
"If you gonna talk nonsense again, I ain't listenin'."
"Not nonsense. I'm impressed with your skills."
"My skills? Are you makin' fun of me?"
"No. I'm paying you a compliment."
"I don't get you, Lady. You say the strangest things," Alea complained and snuggled under the covers. "I'm gonna sleep, so let me be."
She ignored Mistress Telena's chuckle and promptly fell asleep.
Telena smiled at the snores of her apprentice. The girl was prickly, sassy, and quick to backtalk, but the power...oh, the power in her apprentice was amazing. The girl used it without effort, something that even some of the more seasoned Elemental wielders had trouble with. Yet, this street urchin put them all to shame. Alea needed some training in social skills and a little more Water training, but after that, the girl would be a force to be reckoned with. Telena looked forward to that day.
She stared out the window at the moonlit sky. Alea hadn't noticed, but Telena had sensed them being followed. She had realized that every time Alea said she smelled rain, the ones following them were nearby. The sense of being followed had ended once they'd made it to Eadfar. In the morning, she would report it to Master Zuc. She would also speed up their pace. The sooner she got her apprentice to the Negrazul Mountains, the safer Alea would be. She blew out the candle and went to bed, content for the moment that the evils of the world would give her at least one peaceful night's sleep.